Ever since the earliest attempts to remove the Georgia Indians from their territory, there had been intermittent wars. Emboldened by the war between the United States and England, the Creeks in 1813 made further trouble and committed many outrages, the chief of which was the massacre at Fort Mims (q.v.) on Au gust 30th. Intense excitement followed, and the whole Southwest was aroused. The Ten nessee Legislature called for volunteers, and resolved to exterminate the troublesome tribe. In spite of the wound which Jesse Benton had given him, Jackson was soon in the field, and with Colonel Coffee, his former partner, defeated the Indians severely at Talladega and at Toho peka or Horseshoe Bend on the TaIlapoosa River. Jackson distinguished himself in these military operations by his boundless energy. Besides the foe, Jackson had to contend with discord among the officers, insubordination among his men, and scarcity of food, and he manifested not only a sympathetic understanding of the situation. but a great. decision of action. This campaign began ,Jackson's national career: in August. 1814, he was in command at Mobile, a major-general in the Regular Army.
The British attacked Fort Bowyer on Mobile Point, September 14th, and were repulsed. They Then. entering Spanish territory, retired to Pen sacola. which Jackson had already asked orders to attack; acting now on his own responsibility in default of an answer from Washington. Jackson stormed the town with 3000 men. His success was very important. for it now rendered possible the defense of New Orleans, where Jackson arrived December 2, 1814. The place was without defenses, and but for their own slowness and Jackson's al most frenzied energy, the British might easily have taken the town. Jackson proclaimed martial law, made the utmost of his means, and inspired his men with his own enthusiasm. The army was a motley one, being composed of regulars, militia from the neighboring States, a few pirates, and a battalion of negroes. On January 8, 1815, the British made their grand assault on Jackson's works, and were repulsed with great slaughter--the Americans having not only the better leadership, but remarkably good for tune due to various accidents. The British withdrew with the loss of their commander, Sir Edward Pakenham, and more than 2000 men. The American loss was only S killed and 13 wounded. The treaty of peace had been signed at Ghent, December 24, 1814, two weeks before the battle. This victory was the greatest American success on land during the War of 1512, and the position it gave
unprecedented sternness seems to have been jus tified, but when an attempt was later made to manufacture out of it political capital, Jackson. contrary to his usual method of action, disavowed responsibility. For the arrest of a Judge hall during the prevalence of martial law Jackson was tined $1000 for contempt, but thirty years later this was refunded by Congress.
In April, 1815, Jackson was appointed com mander-in-chief of the Southern Division, and Congress voted thanks for his services. His next active work was in the war against the Seminoles in Florida, in the course of which occurred an other of his nets which created no little excite ment. He arrested and put to death. on the charge of inciting the Indians, two British subjects, an English adventurer. Ambrister, who was not proved guilty, and a Scotch trader. Arbuthnot, who seems to have been innocent. At the sauce time Jackson hanged two Indian chiefs. and then seized Pensacola (1818) in spite of the remon strance of the Spaniards. These proceedings created intense excitement in England : but after nmcb angry correspondence there was a peaceable settlement. In Congress .Taekson's conduct was very generally condemned. hut all attempts to pass a vote of censure failed. On the cession of Florida to the United States he was appointed Governor (18211, and during his brief term of office had some serious difficulties in consequence of the arrest of a judge for issuing a writ of habeas corpus. Efforts in Congress to pass cen sure for this act were not successful. In 1822 the mission to Mexico was offered to him. but he refused to accept it.
The Seminole War closed .Jackson's military career, and with no inclination of his own he was again taken into political life. In 1523 the Legislature of Tennessee elected him to the United States Senate. and at the same time nominated him for President. At the election the next year there were four candidates who received electoral votes as follows: John Quincy Adams, 84; William II. Crawford, 41; Henry Clay, 37; and Jackson, 99. No one having a majority, the House of Representatives elected Adams, and Jackson retired to private life. But four years afterwards he was supported by all the opponents of the Administration, and elected by an immense majority—the vote being Jackson, 178; Adams, 83. Calhoun was reelected Vice President. The contest was one of the most per sonal and bitter in American political history, because Jackson, taking as a personal matter the party slander which accused Adams of buying Clay's support in the preceding election by the promise of the portfolio of State, threw his whole force into the struggle. Jackson was reelected in 1832, his principal opponent being Henry Clay. In his second term Van Buren was Vice-Presi dent.